New abortion law causes bitter divisions

Right to Life of Michigan said a new law that requires inspection and licensing of facilities where abortions are conducted “is needed and will be helpful for mothers in Michigan.”

Opponents, though, of House Bill 5711, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder, said it’s a veiled attempt to restrict a woman’s right to have an abortion.

The legislation, introduced by Michigan Rep. Bruce Rendon, R-Lake City, requires facilities where at least 120 abortions are performed a year to obtain a state license as a freestanding outpatient surgical facility. It would mean further inspections and higher costs for the clinics, in some cases requiring them to renovate their buildings.

A vast majority of Michigan’s abortion clinics are not licensed nor inspected, said Pamela Sherstad of the State Central Office in Grand Rapids of Right to Life of Michigan.

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It also requires patients to undergo counseling with a professional to make sure they are not forced into having an abortion.And, it also provides that fetal remains be examined by a doctor and properly disposed of in a dignified manner.

“We are supportive of this law because the reality is that 28 of Michigan’s 32 abortion clinics were not licensed nor inspected,” Sherstad said Monday.

“This legislation is needed and will be helpful for mothers in Michigan,” she added. “What was clear in Michigan (is) there were concerns of substandard clinics in Michigan.

Some of the criticism of the new law, which takes effect March 31, was harsh.

“Governor Rick Snyder continues to lie to the voters of Michigan by signing such extremely conservative pieces of legislation into law,” said House Democratic leader-elect Tim Greimel of Auburn Hills.

“We have heard time and again that these types of social issues ‘are not on my agenda,’ but he proves to be deceitful once again by issuing his stamp of approval to a special interest’s wish list that restricts a woman’s access to care. Legislative Republicans and Governor Snyder are ignoring a majority of Michiganders’ belief that abortion should remain safe and legal in our state,” said Greimel.

Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, there have been an estimated 55 million abortions in the United States. In December 2012, the Michigan Department of Community Health reported there were 23,366 abortions performed in Michigan in 2011, compared with 23,307 in 2010.

Lori Lemerand, president of Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan, and others agree that the new law imposes requirements that — though appropriate for invasive, outpatient surgery — have more to do with closing down clinics and limiting women’s access to abortion services.

“Safe and clean and sanitary; we are 100 percent behind, but it (the new law) doesn’t end there.”

Meghan Groen, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood, said that two of its four clinics that provide abortion services will need to be inspected and licensed. They are in Flint and Kalamazoo. An Ann Arbor clinic already is licensed and the Detroit center performs medicine-inducted abortions and would not fall under the requirement, she said.

“If you set the rhetoric and the false claims aside, the new law actually respects life; it honors choice and it protects women,” said House Rep. Gail Haines, R-Waterford Township. “The bill was designed to increase safety standards at abortions clinics.”

Haines added the “entire bill was designed for the welfare of patients. It will create a standard of care regardless of what you are going to an outpatient facility for.”

Contact Jerry Wolffe at 248-745-4612 or jerry.wolffe@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @JerryWolffe1 or on Facebook.